Our psychologists specialise in diagnosing and assessing conditions like Autism and ADHD in children, using a variety of methods to evaluate a child's development, social interactions, cognitive abilities, and behavioural patterns. The process involves gathering information from parents, teachers, and other caregivers to ensure an accurate diagnosis and provide appropriate support. Below is a detailed overview of how our child psychologists assess Autism and ADHD at See Hear Speak:

 Here is a detailed overview of how a child psychologist assesses Autism and ADHD:

Assessment Process

1. Consultations:

The process typically begins with an initial meeting and often subsequent meetings with the psychologist, child, and their parents or guardians. During this consultation phase, the psychologist gathers information about the child's development, behaviour, strengths, difficulties, and any concerns the parents may have. The psychologist will also spend time with the child/adolescent to speak to them about their strengths and weakness and any concerns they have, as well as explore their experiences of school, home life, learning, friendships etc.

2. Clinical Interviews/Observations:

The psychologist conducts semi-structured and or standardised interviews with the child and family members to understand the child’s social interactions, communication skills, and behavioural patterns. This helps identify any signs of Autism or ADHD or both given the high rates of co-occurrence. During this time, we also explore other potential factors impacting the child's well-being, friendships, behaviour, or learning to ensure there is no better explanation for the child’s presentation and to provide holistic care for possible future intervention/ support needs.

3. Standardised Testing:

Various standardised assessment tools and questionnaires are used which vary based on what the clinician feels is beneficial. For Autism, tools like the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) and the Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum (MIGDAS-2) are commonly used. For ADHD, symptom rating scales like the Conners-4 Rating Scale, as well as the Young Diagnostic Interview of ADHD (DIVA-5), is used to assess attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity challenges.

4. Collaboration:

Input from people who know your child well and know them in different settings is crucial. We value feedback from important people in the child’s life such as, teachers, school staff, counsellors, allied health professionals (speech therapy, occupational therapy etc), medical professionals (GP and paediatrician), and/or family (aunts, uncles, grandparents), close family friends and coaches. They can provide observations and information about the child’s behaviour as witnessed in their respective environments. We consult them through reading their professional reports if any are available, phone consultations, emails and/or by providing them with assessment screeners.

5. Diagnostic Criteria:

The psychologist then takes all the collected information and data and uses criteria from the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) to determine if the child meets the diagnostic criteria for Autism or ADHD. This involves looking at specific symptoms, their severity, and their impact on the child’s daily functioning. We formulate this comprehensive information into a report and recommend possible support options and adjustments.

6. Feed Back Session:

At the end of this process, we provide a brief 30-minute feedback session to discuss results and any findings/diagnoses from the assessment and discuss recommendations moving forward. You will also be provided with a copy of the report to take home and read. If you would like more time to explore the report and or findings, this can be booked in with your treating psychologist and or the psychologist who conducted the assessment.

Our child psychologists use a thorough, multi-faceted approach to assess and diagnose Autism and ADHD, taking into account all aspects of the child’s life. From initial consultations to standardised testing and collaboration with caregivers and educators, the goal is to gain a holistic understanding of the child's needs. The result is an accurate diagnosis and a set of recommendations designed to support the child’s development, learning, and overall well-being. If a diagnosis is not given, our psychologists endeavour to provide you with a formulation outlining other considerations or factors that may be at play in explaining your child’s behaviour. Recommendations are tailored to ensure effective intervention and future needs are met. This comprehensive process is essential for providing the child with the necessary interventions and support to thrive.